Rebel Competition (Day Three) (see additionally Day One and Day Two)
Blackpool
Third-Sixth August 2023

Paul Clarke joins the 1000’s paying homage to punk at Day Three of Rebel pageant in Blackpool and Phil Thorns takes the images.

The marginally light grandeur of the Winter Gardens that has stood proudly on the centre of Blackpool via two world wars and plenty of adjustments in nationwide tastes appears the right place for a punk pageant.

Each this resort and the punk motion have battled via many ups and downs making an attempt to remain related, in addition to providing a spot for individuals to simply have some old school enjoyable.  As you wander the totally different phases you get an actual sense this can be a place the place individuals have come to flee the conventional every day grind to essentially let their hair down or, within the case of the mohicans, spike it up.

One of many strangest areas is the Artwork Deco Spanish room, with its murals and friezes depicting the Andalusian Hills for no obvious cause.  It’s a bit surreal to see punk legend Charlie Harper carry out a day acoustic set on this room after his triumphant essential stage slot with U.Okay. Subs. I did suppose Charlie may need a guitarist with him, however he was enjoying six strings himself, and he wasn’t half dangerous.

CID will get everybody within the temper as a standing room solely crowd chant the refrain again at Charlie, and never surprisingly Stranglehold promotes a mild singalong, as does Tomorrow’s Ladies.  He even will get out a cigar field guitar a fan made for him to ship a bluesy I Stay In A Automotive. Warhead actually will get the gang going, and appears apt given the state of affairs in Ukraine, and there’s a barely ramshackle model of Streets Of London to shut issues off.  Not many individuals would tackle an acoustic set as they strategy their eightieth birthday, however Charlie Harper as soon as once more pulls it off with nice appeal.

Dangerous Manners are on the cabaret finish of punk lately, and who cares as Buster Bloodvessel and his purple scorching ska band actually know to placed on a present. The all the time charismatic Buster will not be probably the most cell of performers, however his band greater than make up for it cavorting around the stage, with the horn part having explicit enjoyable.

It may be pop ska, nevertheless it swings with feeling and nice gusto as they cowl Millie’s timeless My Boy Lollipop and a zesty model of Strolling In The Sunshine.  Buster exhibits what an amazing voice he has on a elegant Can’t Take My Eyes Off You earlier than additionally masking El Pussycat and Don’t Be Offended.  The spectacular closing run of Particular Brew, Lip Up Fatty and Can Can are the right technique to finish a set as the gang go bonkers.

Over within the Opera Home Ruts DC are demonstrating what an amazing band they’ve grow to be since reforming minus the late, nice Malcolm Owen. West One (Shine On Me) remains to be a magical quantity and given correct reverence by the surviving trio. The socially conscious new stuff is within the custom of a band who spoke their thoughts with Kill The Ache and Poison Video games standing out. In A Rut and the percussive Babylon’s Burning are nonetheless astounding songs that echo spherical this huge venue.

Essentially the most disappointing sight of the weekend is the comparatively small crowd within the Empress Ballroom for the lengthy overdue return of The Solely Ones, who many people by no means thought we’d ever see dwell. Their first two albums are key moments as punk transitioned into new wave, but they entice a a lot smaller crowd than bands who under no circumstances might be stated to have modified something of nice significance.

Some punks are leaving the corridor in obvious bemusement that one thing delicate is onstage, nevertheless it’s their loss as a bloke barges previous me saying “I’ve to get to the entrance, I really like this band”, as The Solely Ones nonetheless have that contact of magic. The Beast is simply that, with Peter Perrett’s drawling vocals which are as near Lou Reed as we get on this nation, and Why Don’t You Kill Your self is as splendidly sardonic as ever, with authentic guitarist John Perry on nice kind. Each track is a superbly crafted gem, after which the basic opening bars of One other Lady, One other Planet is a pure shot of aural adrenaline. To listen to one of many best songs ever recorded with different long-time followers is simply an utter pleasure and a victory for the open minded.

New Mannequin Military are one more band at this pageant with just one authentic member, and Justin Sullivan has been their beating coronary heart since they shaped in Bradford approach again in 1980.  Since then they’ve all the time gone their very own approach with members of their hardcore followers ‘The Household’ right here tonight to see a band that’s as tight as they’ve ever been.

New Mannequin Military’s dedication to equality and our planet meant they have been typically forward of the curve of their songs.  Tonight the 4 piece provide as near a best hits set as they ever get with huge variations of No Relaxation, Vagabonds, 1984 and shutting with I Love The World.  In direct distinction to a few of the different acts, it’s an intense affair as Sullivan and co are nonetheless offended, and naturally ‘The Household’ lap it up, however for the remainder of us it’s inspiring to see a band nonetheless dwelling that punk ethos refusing to compromise as our world burns.

On the practice house the subsequent day I take into consideration a pageant that not solely is aware of its viewers, however an occasion that has a uncommon sense of group born out of adversity.  Taking a look at individuals who have spent their complete lives sticking to their weapons, and their tribe, it’s onerous to not admire that perseverance and adherence to a lifestyle that lightweights like me are incapable of.

Rebel is outwardly the second greatest occasion on the Winter Gardens and beloved by the native bobbies as there isn’t any bother. That’s proper, as punk ought to all the time be about preventing the actual enemy – the institution of the day – so this good natured and optimistic pageant for the true believers is more likely to be a part of Blackpool’s calendar for years to return.

You’ll be able to comply with Rebel Competition on Fb

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Phrases by Paul Clarke, you’ll be able to see his creator profile right here.